Man wanted for shooting deputy killed

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- The search for a man wanted for allegedly shooting a New Hanover County Sheriff's deputy came to a fatal end Sunday.

"Brandon Smith is dead," District Attorney Ben David said during an early evening news conference near the scene where the 30-year-old suspect was shot and killed.

David said Smith was killed after a car chase and foot chase that ended with shots fired. Investigators said Smith shot Det. Michael Spencer in the leg Thursday as Spencer and a Wilmington Police detective, both members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, approached Smith and another man in Creekwood. The other man was taken into custody after the shooting, questioned and later released. Smith had been on the run since.

"He was eventually chased into this neighborhood in a car," David said. "That chase continued on foot in a heavily wooded area behind us, and that chase ended after multiple gunshots were fired in that wooded area."

Smith's family gathered nearby to mourn the loss.

Witnesses say they heard the screeching of tires and saw a light colored Crown Victoria speeding into the neighborhood followed by several police. That's when they say they heard several gunshots.

Sheriff Ed McMahon says he will release more information as it becomes available.

"We will release more information including the officers that were involved. I can tell you that no officers were injured," McMahon said. "Det. Spencer is recovering well at the hospital, and if you'll excuse us, we have a lot of work to do."

The State Bureau of Investigations has been called in to investigate, but the DA says this is standard procedure anytime an officer is involved in a shooting.

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Smith didn't shoot the officer, his partner did by accident. Some simple questions that have not been answered. Like forensics from the bullet and gun that Smith was said to have used. I am willing to be they don't match. Why is the officer that didn't get shot get put on paid leave? On the dispatch report the officer shot calls in his own report yet cant give a description of the shooter? Where is the other officer's dispatch call? And when they found Smith days later, how is it that the dispatch report said they were trying to apprehend him, then moments later dispatch is told to send EMS. How many times did Smith get shot being as that he was unarmed why did they have to shoot him? I'm sure if he was armed it would have been reported in the dispatch report. 1898

I believe but not certain that the officer on paid leave is typical in incidents like this. Until the investigation is over.
You are mighty brave posting a name to your rant. Even braver accusing an officer of shooting one of their own.
Unarmed doesn't matter to an officer. You shoot one of them and they take that personally. And I don't blame them. They are there to protect us...not to have to defend their lives against animals.
Smith shot that policemen. Maybe now gang bangers and thugs will think about Smith and what happens when you shoot a police officer.

I am honsetly not surprised that he got shot because he shot a cop and when people do that the police take it in their own hands. Look at the MOVE PEOPLE FROM PHILADELPHIA, WACO SITUATION IN TEXAS and NUMEROUS times when a cop killing fugitive is taken down before he can even be brought in

I was driving around and have NEVER seen so many cops in one area, I somehow had an idea that someone shot a cop just by the way the situation was looking

and because he shot the deputy to evade arrest, the cops saw him as armed and extremely dangerous and shot numerous shots as warning before bringing him down. They had little choice if he was intending on hurting them, while they may have acted overbearing if they shot first.

honestly, I did not think they would bring that man into custody due to the fact that he shot a police officer, most of the times these people are taken down before they can even be arrested.

You always remember that "armed and extremely dangerous" steps them up in gear and they become carved out warriors ready to take you down any way they can if they believe that you are dangerous!

I, too, am relieved that this guy was found before he shot someone else, but the story leaves many unanswered questions about how he died. All the news has said was that there were "multiple shots fired", but it never says that he was shooting at the police or a gun was found. Was he armed? Was he shooting back at the police that day in the woods, or was he unarmed and running from police fire? Was this really a shoot out between an armed and shooting thug and the police? I, too, think the SBI has a lot of work to do in investigating this one. We learned Det. Spencer's name and condition almost immediately after he was struck, but they aren't giving any additional information about the names or status of the officers who took down Smith. Words are chosen carefully by David when he said that "Smith was killed after a car chase and foot chase ended with shots fired".

Although it is sad that this young man lost his life, & an officer was shot in his leg...but what about the neighborhood(s), city streets, sidewalks, etc. all of these actions have put in harms way? Whether its in the Creekwood neighborhood..or out in Castle Hayne, or in all reality, any part of Wilmington recently? Any and all of us are accountable for our own actions, whether you are law enforcement or a "criminal," or "in the wrong place at the wrong time" or an innocent by stander for all that it matters. When is enough, enough?

We all have choices to make. We all have made some wrong choices in our life sometime or another. Like I smoked pot ONCE, got drunk and pissed in the street, missed a court date or two and I could go on, as I am sure that you can too. BUT I HAVENT EVER held a gun nor do I have the desire too, NOR have I thought about killing anyone. I come from a two parent home and I still did a few things.. But MOST OF ALL I HAVE MORALS and VALUES.. I ahve friends that live in the projects or government public housing and they have children that are doctors, nurses, mechanics, social workes and the list goes on. And they came from a single family home. Now what is the excuse.. Back to choices.. The deputy CHOSE to be a Deputy Sheriff Officer and make a difference in ppl lifes. Why would another person make the CHOICE to take away his right? I wish that Mr. Smith had made a better CHOICE before that day, the day of the incident and the days after. I pray for Mr. Smiths family, I hope and pray that they attempted to talk, pray and plead for him to turn himself into police authorities. I am not judging him because God will do that.Do the crime do the time.. I am praying for his family as well as the deputy officer family.

I am a lifelong wilmington resident and 12 generations deep here.
We have seen a quick deterioration of our city and county over the past 25years.
I feel it's a terrible thing when somebody has to die! But how did this mans family and friends think it would end for him? He chose a lifestyle that has no retirement, no long term goals, nothing but victims and heartbreak!

He was either going to be killed by one of his own or put in prison again and again. He is a true loser just like all his boys that look to him as a hero! The killing will continue until parents start raising their children with good morals and ethics! I for one think public housing should be done away with, it has and always will be a breeding ground for crime and poverty. I think instead of us wasting money on convention centers that are failing as we speak. Put money into more educated and competent law enforcement. That are capable of doing their jobs.
WPD, and NHSO need an overhaul top to bottom! This stuff got out of hand on your watch! Hire the best for the job that has to be done. Not what can this applicant do for me personally. City council, county commissioners don't run for re election! We either need you to be on board for the citizens, all of us not just a segment of us.

I feel a complete house cleaning needs to happen. For us to get a handle on the problem that has started years ago

CCrusader, you are right. It is time for the city to forget about ballparks, convention centers and redecorating downtown until they cure this city of the largest challenge it has ever faced. Control of this city is being taken away from the politicians who are more concerned about appearances than fighting gang crime.

Time to vote for people who will take back control of the city from the thugs and make that their priority instead of playing politics.

And let's not forget that we are citizens of New Hanover county and the politicians we have elected have spent more time fretting about Brian Berger than the safety of its citizens. Who is the more eminent threat? Berger or gangs? It's not just a city problem, it's a county problem.

He was someone's son, brother, uncle, friend ,dad, whatever...if they cared so much about him they should have helped turn him in instead of aiding and abetting him in hiding and fleeing. Its always somebody else's fault, huh? He had 2 and half days to walk up to the NHSO front desk and turn himself in but once again he chose a series of bad decision and opted to flee, hide, and resist....game over!! So for all of you who care so much about him now, maybe you should have put that compassion into action while he was still alive and quit blaming everybody else for his stupidity and death! No sympathy, no compassion!! Some people have no place in a civilized society and this guy got his exit ticket punched!

To shoot a unarmed man, no matter what they are ACCUSED of is murder....This guy was in the same position as George Zimmerman, simply accused of a crime not convicted. Prior criminal chargers are irrelevant to the pending chargers of murder....The Residents of New Hanover County was robbed of there right to seek justice...This is not good policing, good policing is bringing in the Boston Bombing suspect alive....Good Police work is finding and charging those of a crime in a court of law...Thats how its done in America

Only one of the Boston bombing suspects survived, and the other just barely.
The sad truth of law enforcement is that not everyone goes peacefully, and sometimes people act in ways that make their death a foregone conclusion. There's no evidence that this person was unarmed, contrary to your statement, and furthermore a vehicle is recognized as a weapon, if used in an aggressive manner.

Didn't they kill one of the Marathon bombing suspects?? So what are you talking about?? Saved the taxed payers money. Smith would have got 10-20 years got out early to shoot and kill someone who "done sumin while he was in" Maybe it would have been an innocent child or someone mother or father. Great job officers.

Yeah its never good when someone has to die but this guy could have turned himself in. Rather he decided to make it worse. He is dead now and there is still plenty of social parasites to replace him. Lets move on from this pointless bickering and refocus on trying to solve the problem at hand.

at least one of our local law enforcement agencies can aim, fire, shoot and hit a target. Wait.. maybe that's thy crime in the city is too bad.. all the criminals can shoot better than the city law enforcement.. I mean, two misses in 48 hours.. See.. The good ol boy network DOES work sometime... Well, when shooting someone is involved that is..
That begs the question.. Two WPD officers fire at a suspect twice in a week. Both officers, one who is an "undercover" detective, miss their targets when firing at in a life or death situation. BOTH WPD officers MISS their intended targets.

In the same 7 day spread, ONE detective/deputy with the Sherriff department fires a shot also in the same knife and death situation and fatally wounds his suspect..

I am not saying NHCSD +1 vs WPD negative 2..
I'm saying WPD needs to get their boys in more training instead of training within their own department cause it 'aint' working..

I see deputies ALL the time on 421 shooting... WPD? Hardly ever and it shows..

WPD cops get pudgy (many) and they sit in cars with speed traps making that revenue way to often.. three cops, one three mile section of Oleander Dr, running speed traps in unison... PLEASE... Oleander is one of the ONLY roads in Wilmington (along with Kerr Ave) that drivers go UNDER the speed limit (they have to text and drive instead..) WPD will sit their all day..
When I was a kid, I got in trouble... Old school Wilmington cops like Detective Pat Pridgen, Ralph Shingleton, and even Bullard were tough old school.. They knew everyone, they treated everyone fairly.. They also didn't put up with Crime, and there was very little.. You have more city cops in White affluent areas, that you do on patrol in the hood... Statistically it should be vise versa...

The issue is not with the city cops, rather its with their leadership somewhere in their chain of command..

Not saying its their fault that crime has risen, not saying its not.. Just saying when its broke, and the leader is saying their is LESS crime when there is more, time for new leadership.

Seriously.. Ed McMahon makes me laugh.. Seriously.. But at least he is right there with his deputies, and he is trying to do something.. City chief wouldn't know what to do if a desk moved out from under him...

It shows.. Deputies in the county while they can be real you know what holes.. They are fair...

In the city.. City cops look, act, seem ticket off all the time.. Too serious, too unhappy... How can anything be effective if that the moral of your place of work... Make Chief E would just be the fall guy, but seriously.. something's gotta give.. Something needs to change..

Hope this joint task thing puts deputies in the city..

think about it.. 3 hardcore rednecks with anger management issues with an automatic and a shotgun.. Case closed.

i bet you bleeding hearts libs would be praising this thug saying he had a bad life growing up if he had killed the Deputy. it societies fault you probably would say!! thank God that society is rid of this devlish THUG that has been committing crime for a looooonnnngggg time. Growing SOD is the best thing for him. I dont want to hear anything from you bleeding herats. It is time that the meetings stop and action is taken. Thanks Ed, get em all.

Isn't it such a treat to be able to say anything and no one knows who you are. So the words you so carelessly speak on these forums will never come back to you and you can live you guppy lifestyle unscathed. For your sake, hope it remains that way. Prayers for Brandon's children, mother, and family.

While you're saying your "prayers" for the family...why not pray that the family smartens up? IF "the family" had bothered to say something instead of hiding him out his children might still have a father. IF "the family" has any concern AT ALL maybe they should turn it in to lessons for the children that are left.
Leave it to people like you who want to put hearts and flowers on someone because they're dead. REALITY will save those who think it's cool to run the streets like this guy. I said: REALITY. If this was one of my boys, you can BET I'd be showing anyone and everyone who would listen what his CHOICES got him.
Isn't it cute that you so slickly passed judgement on the person who posted anonymously right before you went to say "prayers" for the family per your (also) anonymous post.
Hypocrisy should be your screen name.

Hello, you just did the same thing "Anonymity". I do not think there would be many to disagree with you in regards to saying prayers for any family of a lost one. This man shot a firearm and hit a law enforcement officer. He has no regard whatsoever for anyones safety. He could have very easily shot an innocent person mot to mention a child in the course of his actions. You want to pray for someone. Pray for the inoocent good people that have to live within this violent culture. There are some really good people that live in these areas that are just trying to make a living, put food on their tables, and do not bother anyone. Then you have these that terrorize neighborhoods. Why don't you feel sorry for them??

Well this thug will be in the ground in about a week, ten days. It will take that long to sell enough dope to raise the cash to pay for it. Then there will be another.

If anything this thug gang banging is escalating. there are no leaders of the gangs. All want to be. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next two weeks. As for our police, wear your vests. It will become open season on you from these chicken s*** thugs.

It's Very Sad, that Ppl could feel this way about another human being. Speaking for a multi race background , it jus goes to show how IGNORANT BOTH sides can be. My heart reaches out to the spencer and smith family. No justice was not served. Justice Will never be served til we come together and set aside our different ways! Us as Ppl are in trouble. I prayed long and hard that god would touch this Stituation and it would have a different end. I'm jus wondering if the shoe was on the other foot and it was a African American cop and a white American would the comments be so cruel?? Probably not Someway and somehow they would mk the officer look bad. We are living in our last days Ppl, don't let somebody else mistake or past trouble your hearts! God bless America and god bless New Hanover County. Taking one ""thug""" off the street doesn't mean your safe, what about the molester, theives, and killers we surround ourselves around Daily! Open your Eyes Ppl and not your races mouths !

The shoe doesn't fit so I don't wear it. "Live by the gun Die by the Gun" isn't that the motto for these thugs??? It is sad for the families that this guy put himself in this situation no one to blame but him. This problem is growing into a community problem. it is not the public causing the robberies and shooting in town. And most likely this wasn't HIS first time shooting a gun in streets or shooting someone. If he got out of car shooting them he must of been hiding or guilty of something. If the family is so distraught after the fact, Then please do your best to help these situations before they happen. I'm sure someone in his family knew he was "banging", Carrying guns, or selling drugs!!! Family helps family when in need. This is a sad situation that only had a few different endings and unfortunately Death was one of them.

A lot of these comments on here are cruel. NONE OF you know this gentleman so why judge him. Good is the Only judge. ALOT OF you on here must not be Christians wishing death upon anyone. How dare you and I best you are the same ones who wit at the front of the church each Sunday. He is a human beung just like all of you. HIS mother lost a done she's supposed to morn. If you had kids you'd do the same. Sonetimes we as parents teach out kids the right away n sometines they go do the opposite. That's life. Just hated it costed his life. This family is going through a lot and don't need to hear rude comments like these.

This guy was not a gentleman. This guy made the decision to pick up a gun and shoot it. This guy was an idiot. This guy REAPED WHAT HE SOWED. I suggest his family refrain from reading the news if they cant handle the truth about their thug family member.

The city of Wilmington and it's residents are all evil! You people leaving these well wishes after the death of a human being are no better than the so called thugs you all swear are destroying the city. Is death not in your hearts also? Are you not evil because you have these thoughts while you are working for a living? Give me a break! I have lived in Wilmington for over 28 years and I know for a fact that that place is full of hate. Hate for others, hate for self, hate for different races, and hate for different social economics. I would like to see that whole city burn, citizens and all, and God create something new. I said it before, and I'll say it again, WILMINGTON IS EVIL BECAUSE OF IT'S RESIDENTS, BOTH BLACK AND WHITE. IT'S IN YOUR HEARTS!!!!!!!!!!